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Senate race may gain GOP rival for Harris

A nephew of the Pittsburgh Steelers owner says he's been urged to run amid word of trouble in Rep. Katherine Harris' bid.

TALLAHASSEE - A former Army officer who taught law at West Point said Thursday he has been urged by Republican insiders to challenge Rep. Katherine Harris for the party's nomination for the Senate.

Tom Rooney, a nephew of Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, said he will decide within two weeks. "Obviously I can't wait too long," said Rooney, 35, who lives in Jupiter.

Meanwhile, Florida Senate President Tom Lee, R-Valrico, dodged a question about whether he has been recruited by the National Republican Senatorial Committee as well, but he refused to rule out switching from his race for chief financial officer to enter the Senate fray.

"That's an issue the Republican National Senatorial Committee has to deal with. . . . I would never say never," Lee said Thursday.

There is widespread speculation that Harris' campaign has bogged down to the point that Republicans don't think she can beat Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson in November. It has been further troubled in recent days by reports that a defense contractor illegally funneled $32,000 to her 2004 House campaign. Harris has said that after she learned of the illegal donations, she gave the money to charity.

A Harris campaign spokesman, Morgan Dobbs, said Thursday the congresswoman has no plans to drop out of the race.

Brian Nick, a spokesman for the GOP senatorial committee, insisted the party isn't recruiting candidates to oppose Harris. "Katherine Harris is the candidate," he said.

Rooney wouldn't identify those who have tried to persuade him to make the run, but he didn't deny conversations with senatorial committee strategists.

"This would have never come up if it hadn't been of the kind of dialogue I've had with (those) people," he said.

Rooney earned a master's degree at the University of Florida and his law degree from the University of Miami before spending 41/2 years in the Army. He also worked a brief time in the state Attorney General's Office.

[Last modified March 10, 2006, 01:57:36]